Catman

Secret Six #31

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Part 1 of “The Darkest House” brings everything full circle as Scandal Savage‘s nightmares become too much to bear and she decides to use the “Get Out of Hell Free Card” she’s been hording since this comic’s first story arc to retrieve Knockout from Hell.

The B-story involves Scandal’s current girlfriend who is kidnapped from the strip club by an over-zealous (and completely crazy) regular. You get the feeling no matter how things end in each story, for Scandal, they will end in tears.

Gail Simone gives us the disturbing dark humor we’ve come to expect which includes the team’s attempt to make a commercial and a look inside Ragdoll‘s room with his harem of monkeys (all dressed like his teammates) when Scandal attempts to retrieve the card from the thief (with bloody results). We also learn the entrance to Hell is inside a mall in Iowa (where else?), and why you never ask Catman for a pound of flesh.

A strong opening to a new arc that sends the team literally to Hell. Worth a look.

[DC $2.99]

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Doom Patrol #19

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doom-patrol-19-coverI love Keith Giffen, but not everything he does is a winner. This second-half of the Secret Six crossover finds the Doom Patrol and Catman and company battling it out on an island while an active volcano turns everything to slag around them.

Although I liked the madcap action of the first-half of this crossover, this one’s a bit disappointing. There are some fun moments (including the crazed charge of the Science Squad), but the craziness ultimately never pays off. On the plus side, Catman and Scandal get off some good lines (reminding us of pre-Bane Secret Six days).

Although the Secret Six are present, they take a definite backseat to the Doom Patrol (who, to be honest, I’ve never really been that fond of).

It’s not a bad read, I was just hoping with all the insanity at his disposal Giffen would knock the second-half of this one out of the park. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC $2.99]

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Red Robin #20

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red-robin-20-coverEnter the Catman. The first issue of a two-part crossover with Teen Titans begins here as Red Robin battles with Catman who has been hired by the Calculator to keep the hero out of the ubernet. His solution is simple, and deadly – he puts Tam Fox in danger.

I’ve got to say any comic can be helped by a little Catman, and the fight between the two is pretty good. I’m also glad to see how seriously Drake takes a threat like Thomas Blake. You’ve come a long way, baby (thank you Gail Simone!).

That said, the best part of this issue is the second-half where Red Robin reconnects with the Teen Titans (and Damian). The Empire Strike Back reunion scene is pretty good, as is the chemistry between Drake and his former teammates is enjoyable as well as telling on how much Drake has grown into his own character. Now if they can just survive the daunting task of taking out Calculator’s base of operation protected by an army of robots made in his own image. (I wonder if he calls them Doombots?) Definitely worth a look.

[DC $2.99]

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Secret Six #27

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The cover has Bane riding a miniature Tyrannosaurus Rex, do I really need to give you a reason to pick this issue up? Okay, how ’bout Catman as the new Warlord riding a giant freakin’ cat through the armies led by his former teammates? In three words: Oh Hell Yeah!

The story itself is a little messy. Bane’s recovery and Scandal Savage‘s guilt take up quite a few pages, as does the dance between Amanda Waller and Spy Smasher (which ends satisfactorily with Waller turning the tables). It’s also unclear what changes the minds of Catman’s squad from seemingly abandoning their mission to going right to the palace and joining the army.

By the end of issue #27 we’re still left with two separate squads and only one issue left to conclude this fun, but bizarre, story arc. It’s not the best issue of Secret Six, but it’s a hellova lot of fun. And, did I mention it has Catman riding a giant freakin’ cat and mauling an entire army. Yeah, that’s pretty cool.

[DC $2.99]

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Secret Six #26

/ / Comics
  • Title: Secret Six #26
  • Comic Vine: link

After Bane makes some new friends by removing a few of the locals heads and limbs the two squads finally meet in the jungles of Skartaris. And then things get really interesting – especially for Bane and Scandal who square off against each other in a fight that ends bloody and may have lasting effects on the make up of the team.

Also in this issue Catman and his team fight a sea monster (to the utter delight of Rag Doll), and there’s a pretty intense confrontation between Amanda Waller and Spy Smasher over the Six’s involvement in Skartaris.

A pretty good read from writer Gail Simone, with lots of bloody action courtesy of artist J. Calafiore. Worth a look.

[DC Comics $2.99]

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